methanol filled tires?

[tn8n]

called the local co-op to inquire about filling my tractor tires, they said it's $3.95 a gallon. when i asked them if they used CaCl or antifreeze or what they said no, they use methanol. this doesn't seem like a good idea to me. seems like an accident waiting to happen you guys ever heard of this?

after talking to them and hearing the price, i went and got a transfer pump and plenty of sierra "safer" antifreeze, i'm going to do it myself. my question is, should the tire bead stay on the rim, or will it likely pop off when i let the air out? i've had tires pop off the rim before and it was a pita to get them back on. my plan was to jack it up a little, let the air out, and lower it until the tire is resting slightly on the ground, so the weight of the fluid won't break the bead. then fill it, and top off with air.

correct/incorrect?

Matt

 

[CJ in Michigan]

If you had a barn fire and those tires went up-not good-

 

[Den N Ms]

tn8n,It's probably windshield washer fluid but $4.00 a gallon seems high for it. Calcium Chloride (Ca-Cl) is heavier the methanol and has been used in tractor tires for decades. It's also extremely corrosive if the wheels aren't completely covered. It also tastes really awful (don't ask..but believe me).

Methanol (windshield washer fluid) is mostly water...just enough methanol to lower the freezing temperature to many degrees below zero. Not as heavy as Ca-Cl, but quite adequate for residential or small farm usage. Not too much worry about explosions...the concentration is too small.
16% solution by volume is good down 20deg F, 21% to 15deg F, 25% 10 DEG F

Then there's Beet Juice (traded under the name Rim Guard). I don't know much about this, but there's a number of people swear by it.No Rusted Rims!

Chances are your tires won't un bead even if you wanted them to plus they have tubes in them so they will air right up.

 

[Jim in Ma.]

Not to worry
To load them I just put a jack under them to take the weight off the tire.
Remembet - put the valve stem at 12: oclock.

 

[504]

If the tires are seated now, they will still be on the rim when flat. Do not try to pump when the tire is on the ground, it is too easy to pinch a tube, and remember when you fill the tire you will need to stop and bleed the air pressure off and pump some more(repeat as needed)

 

[old]

I fill my own tires with fluid. Now days I use wiper fluid winter grade. If you buy say 30 gals you can get it a bit cheaper at around $1.50 a gal or that was what I payed a few years back. The key is doing it your self.

 

[John (TR)]

I used RV Antifreeze bought on sale and diluted at about 20%. Check out my site for fill instructions. Look on the tips/tricks tab.
Johns old iron

 

[Briar Hill Brittanys]

(quoted from post at 06:07:22 11/03/11) I used RV Antifreeze bought on sale and diluted at about 20%. Check out my site for fill instructions. Look on the tips/tricks tab.
Johns old iron

Hey John, great website. Lots of good info. Thanks. Mark

 

[souNdguy]

methanol is what is in winter windshield washer fluid.

lighter than water.. heavier than air..

i'd just put in rv antifreeze and water.. but that me... what I have mine loaded with..

cheap wwf is fine too...

soundguy

 

[Anonymous-0]

I'm guessing if you have a barn fire and the tractor is in it, won't make much difference what is inside the tires.